Blue Brazil BC 1

Dundee West survived a late scare from Blue Brazil to book their place in the second round of the Scottish Cup.

Goals from Godswill Oke and Nick Fletcher either side of half time put Dundee West in the driving seat, but a superb late free kick from Lewis Black set up a nervy finish to the tie.

Blue Brazil knocked Fairmuir out of the Scottish Cup last season en route to the last 16, and they were looking to inflict a similar fate on Dundee opposition in this year’s competition.

Sean MacNamara found Connor Reid with a neat pass, but he failed to hit the target from close range.

The Fife side had spent most of the opening exchanges inside the Dundee West half, but nearly found themselves behind before 10 minutes had been played. A long ball sent Nick Fletcher in behind, and after goalkeeper Owen Martin failed to deal with the ball, Fletcher delivered a cross that Cavan McLaren was inches away from heading into the empty net.

The ball eventually fell to Luke Miller, who headed wide.

Both sides were trying to get a foothold in the game, but neither goalkeeper was being seriously tested. David Boylan was called into action after 18 minutes, producing a fine diving save to keep out Euan Stewart’s effort from 15 yards.

With half time on the horizon, Dundee West went in front. Godswill Oke opened the scoring with a shot that nestled in the top corner, despite Martin getting a touch to the ball.

Half Time:

Dundee West FC

1-0

Blue Brazil BC

Martin was called into action straight after the restart, smothering Nick Fletcher’s shot. There was nothing the keeper could do five minutes later, as Fletcher got Dundee West’s second.

The forward drove through the Blue Brazil defence, and drilled a low left foot shot into the corner of the net.

Both sides battled on, as there was a sense that the next goal would be crucial. CJ Thompson’s low free kick called Boylan into action after 55 minutes.

Lee Clark blasted a clearance into Stewart six yards from goal. The Dundee West man will have been relieved that the ball deflected straight to Boylan, rather than into the net.

Fletcher had the chance to double his tally after 70 minutes, but saw his shot hit the post after a surging run. This would prove to be a costly miss, as Blue Brazil pulled a goal back 60 seconds later.

Lewis Black gave Boylan no chance with a superb curling free kick from 20 yards. The Dundee West rear-guard had blocked numerous shots and intercepted countless passes, but there was nothing they could do about this.

Fletcher had another chance when Jude McIntosh’s cross evaded everyone and fell for him at the back post, but Martin flew out and denied him.

With two minutes remaining, Blue Brazil had the ball in the net again. Boylan got his fingertips to Jack Reid’s shot and pushed it onto the post. Connor Reid put the rebound into the net, but the referee judged him to be offside.

It was a big call from the ref, who showed Ben Easton a second yellow in the aftermath of the incident. In the second minute of injury time, Brandon Smith had a free header inside the box, but he headed over from close range, as Blue Brazil saw their Scottish Cup dreams ended at the first round.

When the first-round draw was made, this tie was the pick of the bunch at any age group. In truth, this fixture wouldn’t have looked out of place in Round Three or the Last 16, such is the quality of both sides, and it goes without saying that this seasons competition will be worse off without Blue Brazil.

Of course, they will look at the late goal that they had disallowed. Looking back at the pictures, there was only a matter of inches in it but ultimately what the referee says goes. Despite this, they still had plenty of chances throughout the 80 minutes, and shouldn’t have been in a position where their fate was decided by a refereeing decision.

However, today they came up against a Dundee West team still on a high after their midweek game with Fairmuir. They took a while to get into the game, but once they did, Blue Brazil weren’t able to settle and play they football they are clearly capable of playing. Not only did they play some nice football themselves, but their game management was excellent, and ultimately saw them through.

Next up for them is a home tie against Letham Whites or Duloch Juniors Yellows, two opponents that they should fancy themselves against, especially on today’s form.